Best 4K TVs: Best Buys And Expert Buying Advice

If you haven’t purchased a new television set within the last ten years, you may or may not be aware of the extent of change. Remember when HD broadcasting was first introduced, and 1080p flatscreens were all the rage? Most televisions with a screen size of 40 inches or greater now support 4K and 8K resolution, making 1080p a secondary option for larger displays. 

In addition to higher pixel counts, modern televisions feature a variety of lighting and screen styles, with QLEDs and OLEDs representing the best televisions available. Purchasing a new TV can become a never-ending cycle of research and second-guessing when you consider factors such as the type of HDMI ports you need, intelligent features, screen size, and overall cost. 

However, this TV buying guide will explain everything in straightforward language. In the end, you will know precisely which features to seek out and which ones you can forego to get the best deal on the best new television for your home. 

Size and setup 

When shopping for a new television, the size of your entertainment room is the first thing to consider. Remember that TV screens are measured diagonally, so when you see a TV with a diagonal measurement of 65 inches, this refers to the diagonal size, not the height or width. These dimensions can be found on the product page of television and are frequently mentioned in reviews. Most living rooms can accommodate a 50-inch or giant television, but you can go as large as your entertainment center and your budget will allow. 

There are numerous online resources for calculating the optimal size-to-viewing-distance ratios, allowing you to find the optimal combination for you and your space. 

If you intend to use a TV stand, you must account for its dimensions in your calculations to ensure a proper fit. It is also important to note that an increasing number of televisions are mounted on legs rather than bases, necessitating additional space. 

Those wall-mounting this item will be pleased to learn that weight is not an issue. There are mounts for every size and weight, and we have a buying guide for wall mounts to help you select the right one. If you need assistance with the actual process of mounting your television, we can also assist you. 

Resolution 

The term “4K” refers to the resolution of 4K televisions. Even though 4K TVs don’t have 4,000 horizontal lines of resolution (it’s 3,840), the term is catchy and easier to remember than “2160p,” “4K Ultra HD,” or “UHD.” Regardless of what you call it, it refers to a standard for the number of pixels used to create the image you see on-screen. 

The difference is significant with four times the pixel resolution of the previous standard, 1080p HD, mainly when these televisions display native 4K content. Images are more distinct, fine details are visible, and you can sit closer to larger televisions without noticing any image degradation. 

Indeed, some manufacturers continue to produce 1080p and 720p displays, but they are typically the lowest-quality models with the most petite screen sizes in a given manufacturer’s lineup. A few years ago, it made sense to consider one of these models if you wanted to save money, but now that a 50-inch 4K TV can be purchased for $300 or less, only those with the smallest budgets should consider TVs with lower resolution. Indeed, we are beginning to observe a variety of 6K and 8K displays as 4K prices continue to fall, and the cycle repeats slowly. 

While it’s true that broadcast content has been painfully slow to catch up to 4K, we expect this to change rapidly now that ATSC 3.0 has been implemented and is compatible with multiple TV brands and set-top boxes. Moreover, while this upgrade continues to roll out, streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Vudu continue to add numerous 4K movies and television shows to their respective libraries. 

What’s with 8K? 

Even though we’re still ramping up to 4K support in total, 8K is already available in stores. Even though only a few models exist, Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, and Hisense all produce 8K televisions. 

8K televisions pack eight times as many pixels into the same space as 1080p HD televisions or four times as many as 4K televisions. Although 8K televisions were initially quite expensive, a 65-inch 8K television can now be purchased for as little as $999. But should you buy it 

Our current recommendation is no unless you have a large budget and a strong desire to own cutting-edge technology. Native 8K content is still extremely scarce. YouTube and Vimeo offer 8K videos, which will undoubtedly look spectacular on an 8K television, but they are more of a demonstration than a reliable source of 8K entertainment. Outside the United States, 8K sources are typically reserved for special events and promotions. Although some 8K content has been shot by streaming services such as Netflix, it is being released in the 4K format. There are a few notable exceptions, such as the NHK BS8K channel in Japan, which is dedicated to 8K content. 

However, if you join the 8K bandwagon, we recommend a minimum screen size of 85 inches. These are large televisions, but that’s the point: 8K’s advantages are much more apparent on larger screens than on smaller ones. 

HDR 

HDR is an abbreviation for high dynamic range. As far as we’re concerned, it’s a much more impressive improvement to overall picture quality than resolution alone when it’s properly implemented. HDR enhances the vibrancy and realism of images through increased brightness, contrast, and color gamut — the total number of colors a television can display. Once you have witnessed HDR in action, you will never want to return to SDR (standard dynamic range). 

We’ve compiled an in-depth explainer on HDR TV, which we strongly suggest you read before purchasing a new TV, but the most important thing to know is that while nearly all 4K TVs sold today are also HDR TVs, not all HDR TVs are created equal. There can be vast differences in quality, and some HDR televisions lack the necessary components to make the most of this new video format. 

You should also be aware that HDR is not a single format but a collection of formats, including HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. Therefore, your TV must support the same HDR format as your HDR video, or you will not obtain optimal results. 

Before making a purchase, you should read product reviews to determine how the HDR features of a particular TV compare to those of others in its price range, including brightness levels, contrast, and overall picture quality. 

Remember that to enjoy the benefits of an HDR television; you must have a source of HDR video. Currently, streaming services (the major ones have all added HDR support to select 4K movies and shows) or a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player with HDR-produced 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. 

Refresh rate 

The refresh rate of a television is the number of individual frames it can display per second, measured in hertz (Hz). Manufacturers refer to refresh rates in two distinct ways: native and effective. 

The rate at which a television displays motion is determined by its native refresh rate. You generally want a 120Hz native refresh rate if you can get it, though some excellent 60Hz televisions are available. 

Remember that only certain types of content benefit from higher refresh rates, with sports being the poster child for 120Hz televisions. The thrill of fast-paced games such as hockey or motorsports is amplified when details are visible instead of blurred. 

Average filmed entertainment, such as movies and television shows, can be distorted by increasing the refresh rate, resulting in the “soap opera effect.” Don’t worry; adjusting these settings is simple, so everything appears as intended. 

The effective refresh rate of a television refers to its digital image processing. This term appears on televisions with a refresh rate greater than 120Hz. We advise ignoring anything above 120Hz. There is no such thing as a genuinely native 240Hz TV — TVs only support 60Hz and 120Hz (for now). 

Smart TVs 

A smart TV connects directly to the internet via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable (usually both) and includes built-in streaming applications such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, etc. Like 4K and HDR, nearly all televisions today are smart. 

However, there are significant differences between smart televisions due to the software utilized by each manufacturer. LG uses its proprietary WebOS software, Samsung employs its Tizen operating system, and Vizio calls its platform SmartCast. Each of these provides access to popular streaming services. Vizio’s system also includes Chromecast’s casting feature, which allows you to send content from your smartphone or tablet to your television. 

However, you should be aware of three additional smart TV platforms. Android TV is Google’s platform for smart televisions that is based on its popular Android mobile operating system. It provides all of the features of a Google Chromecast device and access to hundreds of apps via the Google Play Store. 

While Hisense and Philips continue to use Android TV, the smart TV platform has been upgraded to a new system called Google TV, which is already being integrated into several new Sony, Hisense, and TCL TVs, as well as the Chromecast with Google TV. 

Roku TVs manufactured by TCL, Toshiba, Hisense, and others include all Roku streamer features. The Roku interface is used for all TV functions, including switching inputs and watching broadcast television. Some Roku televisions are now as good as or better than the leading smart televisions from other manufacturers. 

Finally, there is Fire TV Edition TVs: Smart TVs that utilize Amazon’s Fire TV streaming platform, similar to how Roku TVs use Roku’s software. These are currently manufactured by Amazon, Insignia, and Toshiba and are typically positioned at the bottom of the market in terms of size, price, and features. 

Newer TV models also include Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility, which functions similarly to Chromecast but is exclusive to Apple devices. 

Integrating streaming applications and other services directly into the television frees up space and HDMI ports. You can upgrade any TV with a streaming device, such as the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max or Roku Streaming Stick 4K, or use set-top boxes, such as the Nvidia Shield, to obtain all of these innovative TV features in a convenient package. This is significant because many innovative TV interfaces leave much to be desired.